Stanford Rape Case: ‘Separate alcohol from a serious criminal act’

We need to remove the myth that a rape victim who has consumed alcohol is in any way responsible for the crime committed against them, says Cliona Saidlear, head of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI).

“You can disapprove of men, women, young people, or middle-aged people getting drunk and out of control but that’s different to saying ‘she was to blame’,” says Ms Saidlear.

“Separating out those two pieces — being judgemental about someone’s drinking is different to the person’s [the perpetrator] action who is making the decision.